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A moratorium on the practice has been in place since January 2015 and the government's decision follows extensive consultation and consideration of reports on its potential impact.

A moratorium on the practice had been in place since January 2015

Mr Wheelhouse said: "Fracking cannot, and will not take place in Scotland."

He said it was the responsibility of the government to make decisions in the best interests of Scotland as a whole.

The minister added: "I can confirm the conclusion of the Scottish Government is that we will not support the development of unconventional oil and gas in Scotland."

A public consultation on the issue received more than 60,000 responses, 99 per cent of which were opposed to fracking.

Elisabeth Whitebread, energy campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said the move was a "huge win for thousands of people who have campaigned against fracking for six years".

She added: "Unlike Westminster, Holyrood is listening to public opinion. We already have more gas than we can afford to burn, and as well as damaging the climate, fracking will cause local noise, air and light pollution.

“By announcing an outright ban on this new fossil fuel industry in Scotland, and using a fair process to reach their decision, the SNP Government is leading the way towards the clean energy system that people want.

"The Conservative Government in Westminster is now alone in backing fracking and looks very isolated indeed.

"Across England, growing numbers of local people will continue to oppose fracking and the failure of democracy on this issue. Conservatives in Westminster should stop chasing fracked gas, that we don’t need, and the overwhelming majority don't want.”

Dr Sam Gardner, Acting Director of WWF Scotland, said it was "excellent news".

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He said: "The Scottish Government has listened to the thousands of people, campaigners, and politicians across the country who have been calling for a permanent ban to fracking.

"The climate science is clear. The vast majority of fossil fuel reserves need to be left in the ground. It’s fantastic Scottish Ministers agree that we need to start placing them off limits.”

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However INEOS was scathing on Twitter.

The Grangemouth owner said: "This decision, which beggars belief, means gas becomes a cost for the Scottish economy instead of an ongoing source of income. It speaks volumes about Scottish leadership on the world stage."